THE OMAHA DATLY BEEt , SUNDAY , MATtCII 13 , 1898.
ELJSSA
THE DOOM OF ZIMBABWE
BY H. RIDER HAGGARD
( Cupyrlclit , HOS. by II. Hitler
CHAI'THH VII. ( Continued. )
Klliuta awoke from her vision with a llttlo
ry , then rose , trembling , and tried to com
fort herself with the thought that iiho had
fout dreamed a dream , though It was a very
vivid one. Still Miakcn anil unnerved , she
panted Into another chamber and made pro-
lenso to cat of the meal that was made
ready for her , for It was now the hour of
unset. While she was thus employed It
was announced that the Phoenician Metem
desired to speak with her , and she com
manded that ho should bo admitted.
"Lady , " ho aald , bowing as soon as her
attendants had withdrawn to the further
cud of the chamber , "you can guess my or-
raud. This morning I gave you certain tid
ings which proved both true and useful , and
for those tidings you promised a reward. "
"It Is so , " she aald , and gcrlng to a chest
ho drew from It an Ivory casket full of
ornaments of gold and necklaces and other
objects sot with uncut precious stones.
"Tato them , " she Hald , "they are yours ,
that Is , txivo this gold chain alone , for It Is
vowed to Bailtld. "
"But. lady , " too asked , "how can you ap
pear before Ithobal the King thus robbed
of all your ornaments ? "
"I shall not appear before Ithobal the
King , " she answered , sharply.
"You say so. Then what will Prince
Azlel ttvlnk of you when ho sees you thus
unadorned ? "
"My beauty Is my adornment. " she replied ,
"not these gems and gold. Moreover , It is
naught to mo what ho thinks , for ho hates
mo and has reviled me. "
Metem lifted hU eyebrows Incredulously ,
and went on : "Still I will not deprive you
of thin woman's gear. Look now , I value
It , and at no high figure , " and drawing out
Tils writer's palette and a slip of papyrus
lie wrote upon It an acknowledgment of
debt , which he asked her to sign.
"Thto document , lady , " ho said , I will
present to your fattier at a convenient sea-
BOU. nor do I fear that he will refuse to
.honor It. And now I take my leave , for you
h-ivo an appointment to keep , and , " ho
added , with cmrCiaels , "tho tlmo of moon-
rUe Is at hand. "
"Your meaning , I pray you ? " she asked.
"I have no appointment at moonrlao , nor
at any other hour. "
Moteni bowed politely , but In a fashion
which showed that he put no faith In ( let
words.
"Again I ask your meaning , " she said ,
"for your dark hlntlngs are scarcely to be
borne. "
The Phoenician looked at her. There was
a ring of truiu In her voice.
"Lilly , " hr said , "will you Indeed deny ,
efler I have seen ! l written by yourself , that
within some few minutes you meet the
Prince Azlel beneath the great tree In the
ixilaoo gardens , there so said the scroll to
ask hla aid In thin matter of the suit of
Ithobal ; "
"Written by myself ? " she said wondor-
Ingly. "Meet the Prince Azlol beneath the
tree In the palace gardens ? " Never have I
thought of It. "
"Yet , lady , the ecroll I saw purported to be
'written by you , and your own woman bore It
to the prince. Yonder , as I think , she elts
at the end of the chamber , for I know her
shape. "
"Come hither , " called Ellssa , addressing
the woman. "Now toll me , what scroll wan
thla that you carried tcday to the Prlnco
Azlol , eaylng that I sent It ? "
"Lady , " answered the girl , confusedly , " 1
never told the Prince Azlol that you sent
blm the scroll. "
"Tho 'truth , woman , the truth , " eald her
mistress. "Lio not , or It will bo the worse
* or you. "
"Lady , this la the truth. As I was walkIng -
Ing through the market place an old black
woman met mo and offered mo a piece of
gold If I would deliver a letter Into the hand
of the Prince Azlel. The gold tempted tno ,
for I had need of It , and I consented ; but of
who wrote the letter I know nothing , nor
fcavo I evo. ' r.eoa the woman Before. "
"You have dene wrong , girl , " said Ellesa ,
'but I believe your tale. Now go. "
"When she had gone , Ellssa stood for fc
while rhlnklng , and as she thought Metcrn
aw an expression of fear gather on her
face.
"Say. " ehe asked him , "Is there anything
ctrango about this tree of which the scroll
tells ? "
"Its size Is strange , " ho answered , "and
It has five reels that atand above the
ground. "
As ho spoke she uttered a little cry.
"AUi ! " she said , "It li the tree of ray
dream. Now now I understand. Swift ! Oh !
come with me swiftly ! for see , the tnoon
rises. " and she sprang to the door , fol
lowed by the wondering Metem ,
( Another minute , and they were speeding
down the street so fast that those who
loitered there turned their'Deads and laughed ,
for they thought that a Jealous husband
pursued his wife. As Ellssa fumbled at the
hasp of the door of the garden , Motom
overtook her.
"What means this hunt ? " he gasped.
"That they have decoyed the prince here
to murder him , " she answered , and spot ]
through t'ho gateway.
"Therefore , wo must bo murJercd also a
woman's logic , " ho'reflected to himself as
too panted after her.
Swiftly as Ellssa had run through the
street , hero she redoubled her speed , flit
ting through the glades like some white
spirit , and so rapidly that her'companion
found It difficult to keep 'her In view. A1
length they came to a large , open space ol
ground , upon which played the level beams
of the rising moon , striking upon the dense
crceu follago of an Immense tree that grew
there. Hound this tree Ellssa ran , glancing
about her wildly , so that for a few seconds
Jletcuu lost sight of her , for Its bulk was
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between them. When he saw her again
she was speeding toward the figure of a
man , urno stood In the open , about ten
paces from the outer boughs of the tree , to
wlhloh she polntoJ as she ran , crying : "Ue-
warol"
Another moment and she had almost
reached him , and still pointing begin to gasp
some broken words. Then , suddenly , In the
bright moonlight , Metem saw a shining ob
ject flashed toward the pair from the dark
ness of the tree. It would seem that Ellssa
saw It also ; at least , she leaped from the
ground , her arm uplifted above her head as
though to catch the object , then as her feet
touched the earth she fell with a moan of
pain. On Metem ran toward her , and as
do went ho perceived a shape which looked
like that of a black dwarf slip from the
shadow of the tree Into some bushes beyond ,
where It was lost. Now ho was there to
find Bll&ia half seated , half lying on the
ground , the Prince Azlel betiding over her ,
inJ fixed through the palm of her right
band , which she held up plteously , a llttlo
Ivory-pointed arrow.
"Draw , it out from the wound , " he panted ,
"It avails not , " she answered , "the arrow
Is poisoned. "
With an exclamation Metem knelt beside
called her , unjustly , an Mctcrai said , "a girl
of the groves and a murderess. " How came
It that she had done this , umess ) , Indeed ,
she laved him aa he loved her ? He could
no longer palter with himself ; It was the
truth. Last night , when Issichar accused
him , he had felt this , although then hewould
not admit It altogether , and now tonight ho
, know that hla fate had found him. They
' would say that , after the common fashion
\ of man , he had been conquered by a lovely
face ami form and a brave deed of devotion.
Hut It was not so. Something beyond the
! flesh and Its works and attributes drew him
I toward thla won.an , something ho could
neither understand nor define , unless , Indeed ,
the vision of Issachar defined It , but of which
I ho had been conscious slnco first ho set his
eyea upon her face.
It was possible , It was oven probable , that
before another hour had gone by she would
have passed beyond his reach Into the deeps
1 of death , whither for a whileho could not
I follow her. Yet he knew that the knowl
edge that she never could bo his would not
affect the love of her that turned In him ,
for his deslro toward her was not the de
sire of the earth. Ho bent down over her ,
gazing Into her pale face till his lips almost
' touched her own , and his breath beating on
SHE LEAPED FROM THE GHOUMD AS THOUGH TO CATCH THE OBJECT , THEN
her , and , not heeding her groans of pain ,
drew the dart through the pierced palm.
Then ho tore a strip of linen from hla robe ,
and knotting It round her wrist , he took a
broken stick that' lay near and twisted the
linen till It almost cut Into her flesh.
"Now , prince , " he said , "suck the wound ,
for I have no breath for It. Fear not , lady ,
I know a salvo that Is an antidote for this
poison , and presently I will .bo bock with It.
TJlll then. If you would live , do not suffer
that bandaRo to bo loosed , however much It
pains you , " and ho departed swiftly.
Azlel put his lips to the hurt to draw the
poison from It.
"Nay , " Bho said faintly , trying to pull
away her hand , "It la not fitting , the vcmon
may kill you. "
"It scema that it was meant for me , " bo
answered , "so I do but take my own. "
Presently , directing Ellssa to hold her
hand above her head , he put hla arms about
her and carried her a hundred paces or more
Into the open glade.
"Why do you move mo ? " she asked , her
head resting on his shoulder.
"Because whoever It was that shot the
arrow may return to try his fortune a second
end time , and hero In the open his dart can
not reach us. " Then ho set her down upon
the grass and stood looking at her.
"Listen , Prince Azlel , " she said , after a
while , "tho vcmon with which these black
men soak their weapons la very strong ,
and unleta Metem's naive be good It may
well chance that I shall die of It. Therefore ,
before I die I would say a word to you.
What brought you to thla place tonight ? "
"A letter from yourself , lady. "
"I know It , " she eald , "but I did not wrlto
that letter ; It was a snare , sol. aa I think ,
by the King Ithabal , who would do you to
death In this way or It ) that. A messenger
of bis bribed my waiting maid -to deliver it ,
and afterward I learned the tale from Mo-
torn. Then , guessing all , I came hither to
try to save you. "
"llut how could you guess all , lady ? "
"In a strange fashion , prince , " and In a
few words ehe 'told htm her dream.
"ThU Is marvellous , Indeed , that you
should bo warned of my danger by visions , "
ho said wonderlngly and half doubtlngly.
"So marvellous , prince , that you do not.
believe mo , " Ellssa answered. "I know well
wtat you think. You may think that a
woman to whom this day you apoko such
words as women cannot well forgive , being
revengeful , laid a plot to murder you , and
then , being a woman , changed her mind.
Well , It le not eo. Metem can prove It to
you. "
"Lady , I believe you , " ho said , "without
needing the testimony of Moteoi. Dut now
the story grows still moro strange , for It
you had done me no wrong , how cornea It
that to preserve me from harm you sot your
tender flesh between the arrow and him who
had reviled you. "
"It was by chance , " she answered faintly.
"I learned the truth and ran to warn you.
Then I saw the arrow fly toward your heart
aiid strove to grasp It and it pierced mo.
It waa by chance , by such a chance as made
me dream your danger , " and ae fainted.
CHAPTER VIII.
AZIEL PLIGHTS HIS TROTH.
At first Azlel feared that the poison bad
done Ua work and that Elleaa was dead , 'till ,
placing his hand upon her heart , be felt U
beating faintly and knew that she did .but
swoon. To leave her to seek water or assistance
sistance- was Impossible , since he dared not
looao his hold of the bandage about her
wrist , so he knelt at her side awaiting the
return of Metem.
How beautiful her pale face seemed there
In tbo moonlight , set In I la frame of dusky
hair. And how strange was this tale of hers ,
of a dream that she had dreamed , a dream
which to pave hla own bad led her to offer
her life to the murderer's arrow. Many
would not beltcvo U , but he felt that It was
true ; ho felt that even It she wished It
she could not lie to him , for , i he had
known since flrat they met , their souls were
naked 'to each other. Yes , having thus b ea
turned of hla danger , she had offered her
life for him , for him who that morning bad <
I Bwtftnrtrtt'itrot. AU W U UI : i u * *
her seemed to give her life again. She
opened her eyes and gazed at htm awhile ,
deeply , and with meaning , oven as he gazed
at her. - '
He spoke no word , for his lips eeomed to
be smitten with silence , but his heart said
"I love you , I love you , " and1 her heart
hoard It , for she answered with her voice :
"Bethink you who and what I am. "
"It matters not , for wo are one , " ho re
plied. "One we have been In the past , one
wo are today , and -one wo shall be through
all the length of life and death. "
"Prince , " she said again , "once more , and
for the last time , I say , bethink you well ,
for It comes upon me that your words are
true , and that If I take that which tonight
you offer It will bo forever and for aye. "
"Forever and aye lot It be ; " ho said , leanIng -
Ing toward her.
"Forever and for aye let It be , " she re
peated , holding up her lips to-his.
And thus they plighted their strange troth.
"Lady , " said a voice In their ears , the
voice of Metom , "I pray you , let me attend
to your hand , for there Is no tlmo to lose. "
Azlol looked up .to see the Phoenician
bending over them with a sardonic smile ,
and behind him the tall form of Issachar ,
who stood regarding them , his arms folded
on his breast.
"Holy Iseachar , " went on Metem , with
malice , "bo pleased to hold this lady's hand ,
slnco It seems that the prince here can only
tend her llpa. "
"Nay , " answered the Levlte , "what have
I to do with this daughter of Uaaltls ? Cure
her If you con , or if'you cannot , let her die ,
for so shall a stone of stumbling be removed
from the feet of the foolish , " and be glanced
Indignantly at Azlel.
"Had It not been for this same stone at
least the feet of the foolish by now would
have pointed skyward. The gods , send me
such a stone If ever a black dwarf draws a
polscned arrow at me , " answered Motcra. as
ho busted himself with his drugs. Then
ho added : "Now , prince , do not answer htm ,
but hold the lady's hand to the light. "
Azlol obeyed , and having washed out the
wound with water , Metem rubbed ointment
Into It which burned Ellssa so sorely that
she groaned aloud.
"Do patient beneath the pain , lady , " he
said , "for If It has not already passed Into
your blood this salvo will eat away the poison
of the arrow. "
Then , half leading and half carrying her , they
brought tier back to the palace , whore
Metem gave her over Into the care of her
father , telling him as much of the story aa
ho thought wise and cautioning htm to keep
elleiit concerning It.
At the door of the palace Issacbar spoke to
Azlol.
"Did I dream , prince , " ho said , "or did my
eari Indeed hear you tell that Idolatress that
you loved her forever , and did my eyes so
you kiss ber on the lips ? "
"It seems that you eaw and heard these
things. Issachar. " said Azlel , setting his face
sternly. "Now bear this further , and thro I
pray you give me peace on thla matter of the
Lady Ellesa. If In any way It Is possible I
shall make her my wife , and If U be not
possible then for so long as I may live at
least I will look upon no other woman. "
"Then that IB good nowa , prince , to mo ,
who am charged with your welfare , for be
sure that. If In any way I can proveot you ,
you shall never mix your blood with that at
this heathen sorceress. "
"Issachar , " the prince replied , "I bave
bomo much from you because I know well
that you love me. and have stood to me In
the place of a father. Dut now , In toy turn ,
I warn you , seek not to work barm to the
Lady Ells 4 , for In striking her you strike
me , and such blows may bring my veageanc'e
after them. "
"Vcngeancs , " mocked the Levtte. "I f ar
but one vengeance , that of Him on high , nor
do I listen to the whisperings of love when
duty points the patb. Rather would I sea
you dead , Prince Azlel , than lured down to
hell by the wiles of yonder witch. "
Then before Ailol could Answer be tunned
and loft him.
As Issacfcar went to hU own chamber , full
of bitterness and Indignation. fa passed th
door of Ellssa'fl opartmctita and came face
to face with Metem Issuing from them.
"Will the woman live ? " ho asked of him.
"Ho comforted , worthy Ifnachar , I ttilnk
so ; that Is. If the bani'ago does not slip. I
go to tell the prince. "
"Gladly would I glvo 100 golden shekels
to h'm who brought mo tidings that It hat
slipped , and the woman wlU ! It , dwn to the
arna : of h r father Heolzebub , " broke In the
Levlte ixa &s I o not el y.
"Pretty words for a holy man , " eald
Metem , feigning amazement. "We'.l
lesachar , I will do moat things for sooc
money , but to ftilft that bandage would be
but murder , and this I cannot do , even fo
the gold and ti win your favor. "
"Fool , " answered Issachar , "did I ak you
to do murder ? I do .not light with mich
weapons ; let the \vomnn live or die as It la
decreed. Nay , tnttv my chamber , for 1
would speak with you , who are a ciinnliu
man iverscd In the craft of courts. Llsteu
now : I love this Prlnco Ariel , for I ha
reared him from hh childhood and he tin ;
been a son to mo who have none. More , ]
amncnt hither to this hateful land to watch
him and hold him from all -harm , and for
all that chances to htm I must account. A Tie'
now , what has chanced ? This woman
Ell'sa , by her witcheries "
"Softly , Isaachar ; what witcheries docs shs
neeJ beyond those lips and form and eyes ? '
"Dy her witcheries , I tell you , fho his en
snared him so that now ho swears that he
will wed her. "
"What of It , Issashar ? He might tiavcl
far to find a lovelier woman. "
"What of It , dn you ask , remcmberln"
who ho is ? What of It , when you know hla
faith , and that this fair Idolater will sap It
and causa .him to cast away his soul ? Wha
of It , wh ii with your own cars you heart
him swear to love her through all the deeps
of life and death ? Man , arc you mad ? "
"No , but some might say that you are
holy father , who forget that I also am o
this religion that you revile. But for gooier
or 111 so thc matter' stands , and now what Is
It that you will of me ? "
"I will that you should make It Impos.il-
blo that the Prlnco Azlel should take this
woman to wife , not by murder , Indeed , for
'thou shalt not kill , ' salth the law , but by
bringing It about , t-.at ) she should wed the
King Ithobal , o'r If Uhat fall , In any other
fashion that sccnu good to you. "
" ' shalt " salth law tell
'Thou not Kill. tne ;
mo , then , Issachar./'does / it siy that thou
fihalt hand over , a woman to a fate she holds
to bo worse than death ? Doubile.ss It Is
foollah of her , and vfc should not heed such
woman'a folly , yet .this . one has a certain
strength of will , and V question If all the
elders of the city will bring her living to the
arms of Ithobal. "
"It Is naughttto me If she weJs Ithobal or
weilfl him not , save tint I do not love that
heathen man , and Surely she would brim ;
ruin on him. What ; I would have you do late
to prevent her , from marrying Azleli the
way I leave to you , "
"And what should I be paid for this
service , holy Issachal ? "
The Jew thought , and answered : "A
thousand gold shekels. "
"Two 'thousand gold shekels , " Wplled Me
tem , reflectively. "Nay , I am sure you
said 2,000 , Issachar. At least , I do not worl
for lers and It ! s a small sum enough , seeing
trn.t to earn It I must take. UDKI myfilf thi ?
guilt of severing two loving hcarta. But I
know well that you are right and that this
would be an evil marriage ifor the Prlnco
Azlel , and also for the Lidy Ellssa , who
then day by day and year by year must bear
the scourge of your reproaches , Issachar
Therefore I will do my best , not for the
monoy. Indeed , but , because I see herein n.
righteous duty. And now hero Is my parch
ment. Glvo me the lamp that I may pre
pare the bond. "
"My word Is my bond , Phoenician , an-
'
swere'd the Levlte , haughtily.
Metem looked at him. "Doubtless , " he
said , "but you are old , and this la a rougl
country , whore accidents chance at times
Still , the thing would read III , and , as you
say , your word la your bond. Only remem
ber , issacbar , two thousand shekels , bearing
Interest at twenty-five shekels a month
And now you are weary , holy Isaachar , with
plotting for the welfare of others , and seam
am I. Farewell , and good dreams to you. "
The Levlte watched , hlm go , muttering to
himself : "Alas , that I should have fallen to
such trafllc with a knave , hut It Is for your
aake and for your soul's sake , O , Azlel , my
son. May God grant that fate be not too
strong for me and you. "
For two days from this night Ellssa lay
almcst senseless , and by many It waa thought
that shs would die. But when Metem taw
her on the morning after she had been
wounded , and noted that her arm was but
little swollen and bad not turned black , ho
announced that she would certainly live
whatever the doctors of the city might de
clare , whereon Sakon , her father and Azle
blessed him , but Issachar said naught.
It was as the Phoenician was walking
through the market place the next morning
that on aged black woman , whom ho did not
"METEM PROSJPRAJED IH1M6BIJF OBSE
QUIOUSLY. "
know , accosted "Mov , saying that she had a
message for hlsi.ear from the king , Ithobal ,
who was camped without the city , and who
desired to see thS'merchandise that he had
brought with him' from the coaat of Tyre.
Now , Metem had- sold all his wares at a
great advantage1. " Ull , a * he would not
neglect this opportunity of trade , he pur
chased others from his fellow merchants and ,
loading two camels with them , set out for
the camp of Ithobal , riding on a mule. Dy
midday ho had reached It. The camp was
pitched near water In a pleasant grove of
treed , and on one of these not far from the
tent of King Ithobal Metem noted that there
hung the body of a black dwarf.
"Behold the fate of him who shoots at the
buck and hits the doe. Well , I bave always
'said ' that murder Is a dangerous game , since
blood calls out for blood , " thought Mctcm , as
he rode toward the tent.
At Its Uoor stood King Ithobal. looking
very huge and sullen In the sunlight. Metem
dismounted and prostrated himself obsequi
ously.
"May the king live forever. " he said , "the
treat king , the king to whom all the other
klngi of the earth are as the little gods to
Baal , or the faint stars to the sun. "
"Rise , and cease from flatteries. " said
Ithobal shortly. "I may be greater than the
other kings , ibtit nt least you do not think It. " '
"If the king says so , so let It bp , " replied
Motcm calmly. "A woman yonder In the
nnrket plaoo told me that the king wished
: o trade for my merchandise , BO I have
it-ought the 'best ' of It , priceless gooda that
with much toll I have carried hither from
Tyre"1 and Tic pointed to the two camela ,
adcn with the Inferior articles which ho had
nirc'insed and read the number and descrip
tion of the ( 'oods from bis tablets.
"What value do you eet upon the whole of
them , merchant ? " asked Ithobal.
"To the trailers of the country so much ,
but to you , oh , king , so much only , " and ho
named a sum twlco that which ho had paid
In the eltr.
"So be It , " said Ithobal indifferently. "I do
not haggle o\cr "wares , though your price
Is large ; presently my treasurer shall weigh
you out the gold. "
There was a moment's pause , and , then
Mctnm nald :
"Tho trees In this camp of yours bear evil
fruit. O , king. If I might ask. why doeu that
llttlo black monkey hang younder ? "
"Becauao he tried to do murder with his
poUonctl arrows , " nnawcred Ithobal sullenly.
"And failed ? Well , It must comfort you to
think that if ho did fall If he waa of the
number of your servants. H Is strange now
that some knave unknown attempted murder
last night In the palace gardens , also with
poisoned arrows. I eay attempted , Out as
yet I cannot bo sure that he did not suc
ceed. "
"What ! " exclaimed Ithobal , "was " and
ho stopped.
"No , king , Prince Azlelwas not hit. the
Lady Ellssa took the arroiv through her
hand , and lies between life and death. I am
doctoring her , and had It not been for my
skill she would now be stllrt and black as
the rogue who shot the arrow. "
"Save her , " said Ithobal hoarsely , "and I
will pay you a doctor's fee of 100 ounces of
pure gold. O , had I but known , the clunwy
fool had not tiled so eas'lly. " '
Metem took out hla tablets and made a
note of the amount.
"Take comfort , king , " ho said. "I think
that 1 shall earn the fee. But , to npeak
truth , this matter looks somewhat ugly , and
your nume Is motioned In It ; alsoIt Is said
that your cousin , the great man whom tbo
Prince Azlel slew , as charged to abduct a
certain lady by your order. "
"Then false talca are told In Zlmboe , ar/1
not for the first time , " said Ithobal coldly.
"Listen , merchant. I have a question to aak
you. Will thePr'iice Azlel meet mo in
fllnglo combat with whatever weapons ho
may choose ? "
"Doubtltas , and slay you as he slew your
cousin , for he Is a line swordsman and your
strength would not avail against him. llut
your question is already answered , for
though the prince would bo glad enough to
fight jou , Sakon will have none of It. Ilavo
you nothing else to ask me , king ? "
Ithobal nodded and said :
"Listen , merchant. I know your repute of
old , that you love money and will do much
to gain It , and that > ou are craftier than ar.y
hillside fox. Now , If jou can do my will
you can have more wealth than over you won
In your life before. "
"The olfcr sounds good In a poor man's
ears , king , but It depends upon what Is your
will. "
Ithobal went to the door of the tent and
commanded the sentries who stood without
to suffer none to disturb him or draw near.
Then ho returned amd said :
"I will tell you , but beware how you
betray my counsels In this or In rny other
mutter. You know how things are between
mo and Lady Ell&'a and her father Sakon ,
and the city which he governs ; unless within
eight da > s she la given to mo In marriage
I have swore that I will make war upon
Zlmboe. Ay. and I will make It , for already
the great tribes are gather.'ng to my banners
In ten armies , each of them 10,000 otrong.
Once let them march beneath yonder walla
and before they leave It Zlmboo's city of
gold shall be nothing but a heap of rulM and
a habitation of the dead. Such shall be my
vengeance ; but I seek love more than ven
geance , for what will It avail me to butcher
all that people of tradero If as well may
chance- ! : , the accidents of war I lose her
whom I desire , whene beauty shall be my
crown of crowns , and whoso mind shall make
me great Indeed ? Therefore , If may be ,
I would win her without war ; let the war
como afterward , as eomo It must , for the
tlmo la ripe. And though she turned from
me , thU I should have done , had It not
boon for yonder Prlnco Azlel , whom she met
In a wild fashion and straightway learned
to love. Now the th'ng ! s more difficult.
Nay ; while the Prince Azlel can take her to
wife. It U well nigh Impossible , since no
threats of war or ruin can turn a woman's
heart from htm she seeks to him eho flics.
Therefore , I ask you "
"Your pardon , king , " Metem broke la , "but
I would save you perchance from saying
words that I do not wish to listen to , and
that you may afterward regret having spoken.
It you were about to require of me that I
should causq cr be privy to the death of the
Prince Azlel , you would require It In vain ;
yes. If you would pay me gold In mountains
an3 geraj In camel loads. With murder I
will liave'naught to do ; moreover , the prince ,
your rival , U my friend , and I will not harm
him. Further , I may tell you that after laat
night none will bo able to come near him
to hurt a hair of his bead , see.'ng that
through daylight and through darkness ho
U guarded by two men ! "
"And has awoman's body to set before
him as a shield , " eald Ithobal bitterly.
"But you speak too fast ; I waa about to ask
you to kill this man , or even to procure hla
death , but rather that you should so con
trive that ho cannot wed Ellsra. How you
contrive It I care nothing eo that she Is
not harmed. You may kidnap him , or stir
up the city against him , as one who would
bo the source of wur , and cause him to bo
despatched bvick to the great sea , or bribe
the priests of El to hide him away , or what
you will. If only you separate him from
this women forever. Say , merchant , are
you willing to undertake the task , or must
my good gold go elsewhere ? "
Metem pondered awhile and an3wered :
"I think that I will undertake It , king ;
; thjt Is , If wo can come to terms , though
whether I ahall succeed Is another mutter.
I will undertake It , not only because I
seek to enrich myself , but bcause I and
others who love him think that It would
be a very evil thing that this Prince Azlel ,
whose blood la the moat royal in tha whole
world , without the consent of the grent king
of Israel , his grandfather , should wed the
daughter of a Phoenician ofllcer , however
beautiful ind loving she may be. Also I
love yonder city , and would not see It
plunged In a bloody war and perchance de-
etoyed because a certain man would call a
certain girl his sweetheart. And now. If
I succeed in this , what will vou give mo ? "
Ithobal named a great sum.
"King , " replied Metem , "you must double
It , for that amount you apeak of I shall bo
forcedto spend In bribes. More , you must
glvo mo the gold now , before I Icuvo your
camp , or I will do nothing. '
"That you may steal It and do nothing , "
laughed Ithobal angrily.
"As you will , king. Such are my terms ;
If they do not please you , well , let me go.
But If you accept them , I will sign a bond
under which If within eight days I do not
make it Impossible for the Prince Azlel to
marry the Lady Ellssa , you may reclaim BO
much of the gold as I do not prove to you
to have been epont upon your service , end
no bond of Metem , the Phoenician , was ever
yet dishonored. Another thing , war soon
may break out , or I may be forced to fly ;
therefore , I demand of you a pa J sealed
with your seal that will enable mo to rMo
with twenty men and all my goods and
treasure , even through the mldat of your
armies , and you shall swear the great oath
to me that notice of this pass Bholl be given
to all your generals , and that U be respected
to the letter. Do you consent to these
terms ? "
"I consent , " said the king presently.
That eveningMetem returned to the city
of Zlmboo , but those who led his two enmcls
little' ' guessed that now they were laden ,
not with merchandise , but with treasure.
( To Be Continued. )
IIELIGIOUS.
The late Archbishop Cleary of Kingston ,
Can. , waa tbo flrat person to receive a degree
from the Catholic University of Ireland.
Rev. James J. Dolllver , father of the repre
sentative from Iowa , was recently Invited to
deliver the opening prayer before the house.
A movement has been started In London to
erect a monument to Rev. A. M. Toplady ,
the author of the hymn , "Rock of Ages ,
Cleft for Me. "
There are reported to be 1.167 religious
newspapers and periodicals , with an average
circulation of 12SCO copiei , now published In
the United States.
Dr. John B. Adger , a graduate of Princeton
Theological seminary In 1832 , Is the oldest
BLITZ SEE THAT Never Fails to Please
IS ON
THE
CORK IK UttiMvn mill npprrolntnl from
< ! < nil i | Ofonii
Hunt llri'r.
Val. Blatz Brewing Co.
iMllt"uit < cr , Wl . , IT. S. A.
Fole-y Bros. . Whole.-nlo Dealer. * , Of.
flee Dellono Hotel. 121 North llth SU
Omiiho. Neb.
* & * &
$ New York Society Ladies
ENDORSE
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Lovely Complexion Clear , White Skin
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it has no cijuiil.
TMDRB NEVER WAS ANYTHING LIKE IT.-Its merits ore known
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ous improvement after u few applications will surprise and delight yon ,
for tliu bkin will bccomo us Natures intended it hhoiild be smooth , dem
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action is such that it draws the impurities out of the bkin and does not
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Ladies can address The. Misses Hell on nil matters of complexion and
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THE MISSES BELL , or
THE BELL TOILET CO. , 78 Fifth Avenue , New York
first in Improvements.
fioncat
Conotruction I
and all
fiigb Grade
ulritc for
typewriter
OurJ ew
Hi * Goscntiala.
Catalogue
free.
Cbe Smith Premier typewriter Co. ,
Syracuse , IS. \ . , O. B. H.
Branch Office , 17th and Farnam Sts. Omaha
graduate now living , being In his 88th year.1
Ho la living at Pcndlcton , 8. C.
In the Church of England 250 of the clergy
are Jews or the cons of Jews , and In Great
Brlttain more than 350 of the Christian
uilnlsteis are Hebrew Christian * .
At the University of Michigan there are
moro than three-fourths as many Presby
terians as at Princeton , and fifteen tlmea
as many as In the Presbyterian college In
Michigan.
Including the missions of all denominations
In China , there are 3S9 ordained mission
aries , 500 women evangelists and etghty-ono
teachers , besides 1,380 native workers en
gaged In mission work.
Feng Fee , who Is acting as secretary to
"Gmcral" William Booth , Is a Sacramento
Chinaman who was converted In 18S9 , and
slnco then has been a Salvation army
uorkor among his compatriots In California.
"The clergy nre sometimes regarded by
their parishioners us Improvident , " says the
Churchman , "but the country parson who ,
with a salary of | SOO , sends two scis and a
daughter through college , shows an ability
for finance which the average layman may
contemplate In respectful silence. "
A village pastor In Germany made com
plaint of 129 fathers In his neighborhood for
permitting their children under 10 years of
age to dance at a festival , and the parents
were fined. 1 mark each. Then It was dU
covered that the children of the complaining
pastor had danced also , and ho bad to walk
up and pay his fine , too.
No religious sentiment In the United Statee
has prospered moro than the Watdecscs ,
which occupies the beautiful Piedmont sec
tion of the Tennessee mountains , on the
line between North Carolina and Tennestee.
Four years ago a band of 230 settled here ,
aud they have recently been Joined by several
hundred families from Italy.
Rev. Dr. John Hall , of whom BO much
has been heard lately , Is an Irishman , by
birth , but of Scotch descent. Hla flrat
charge- was at Armagh , Irelaud ; the uext at
St Mary's abbey In Dublin , and the last In
New York , where for thirty yeara bo has
benn pastor of the wealthiest church In
America. His salary Is $15,000 per year ,
with emoluments of at least that much more.
A post-graduate school for mlmUtera has
recently been organized In New York City
and Is known as the New York Biblical In
stitute. It has provided a course of lecturcj
on Mcuday afternoons during the months
of February , March. April and May , two
being given In one afternoon , one of a then-
logic , philosophic or scientific character , and
the other of a practical nature , by an ex
perienced
Winter Winds
on face and hands produce the lame ro >
Bulls as an axe on fie bark of a tree. Cutl
clo is your bark. Uncared for , It Is worst
than the proverbial bite. And as It mould
be uncomfortable to guard fuce and handj
by a substantial enclosure use
Rose and
Cucumber Jelly
Thai ! better than a Bheltcrlntr fencB. It'l
cheaper , not In the way. softens , soothes thi
chapped ekln , removes rcdncx * and rough'
nesa , eradicates wrinkles , destroys black *
heads. Is not sticky. More , U fights tht
wind and cold of winter , it Is the bent ar >
mnr against the breatr. of frost liy Its
cool , refreshing touch It prevents ore.
cracked * kln. It heals all parts exposed to
the chilling blasts of out doors.
25 cents large bottle and sold whcrevu
winds blow.
Your nnme to us free inmplt to you.
WILLIAMSON A SI'l'HAIt , M'fU. CO.
Detroit , Mlobtaau.
For sale by
Boston Store Dru Dept.
O3IAU4.
NEW
COLLAR